August 31, 2021

August 2021 Roundup

August always passes in a flash since we are normally traveling for the 1st half of the month and then thrown into the start of school and settling into a new routine for the 2nd half. We are normally happy when the month ends because it means we are one step closer to cooler weather coming along. Here are some random moments from August:

Charlie had a twin bed in his room for a year but was still using the crib. First night home, however, he decided he was ready to transition so now our big boy is in a big bed!


This kid was born with sunshine in his soul and we love him for it


Griffin is always into something, but if his worst crime for the day is disrupting the pile of napkins, then I'll count it as a win


I wonder who is responsible for spilling the salt....


We had a fun (and very hot) night at Wonderland with our good friends



These girls are BFFs <3



Major tears came when Davey was told he was too short to ride the wild mouse rollercoaster


His sadness persisted long after the initial heartbreak because this kid can really hold a grudge


But we found a smaller coaster he was tall enough to ride and that ended up saving our evening


August means peaches!!! This box smelled amazing and tasted even better


As a late 15th anniversary date we joined friends to see Jim Gaffigan at the Civic Center. We don't get away from the kids very often so it was fun to have an adult night full of laughs 



The boys always love operating the diggers at the Discovery Center


Look at Griff up on his tippy toes to try and see what he's doing


First week of school in the books called for a snow cone treat!


Davey was very proud of this fort he built


 May not look like much, but Charlie having his feet off the ground is very brave


A drawing by Dave from a game of Telestrations with friends over the summer that had to be documented for posterity. His clue was Lady Gaga, and it actually wasn't a half bad drawing when compared to the source, but unfortunately the lips read more Steve Tyler and there was a hot debate at the table over which resemblance was closer. It really could go either way ðŸ˜‚
 



August 22, 2021

Our Toad-ally Fun New Pet

Sophie and Emery love critters so it really wasn't too surprising to learn they had brought a toad home from soccer evaluations in a sock. After playing with the toad for awhile, Sophie started begging to keep it as a pet. Dave and I talked it over and eventually thought why not? It had been living at a city park playground, so surely our backyard would be an improvement over it's previous home. We figured that it should be able to get plenty of food just from bugs and all we'd be responsible for was providing a secure enclosure with access to fresh water. So welcome to the family Toady!


The girls played with Toady in the water table for awhile before deciding to build a better home



The kids built the first enclosure from paver stones, but Toady was too good at jumping/climbing and escaped quite easily


Enjoying a waffle snack plate while Daddy ran to Home Depot for better supplies


Enclosure 2 featured chicken wire buried in the ground and secured through the fence slats and worked much better at keeping Toady contained. It featured water, shade, and hiding spots - perfect for our amphibian friend


Little toad, meet big toad

August 17, 2021

Sophie's Starts 3rd and Davey Starts Kindergarten!

We made it back in town just a couple days before school started. Since we missed the official Meet the Teacher, I took the kids in the day before to see their classrooms and drop off supplies. It was kind of nice to make introductions 1 on 1 instead of with hundreds of other families. 

Then on August 17th they were off to school for real! Sophie was excited to jump into a new year as a 3rd grader, and kindergarten isn't going to know what hit 'em when Davey arrives. They are both gret kids and I know the are going to learn and grow a lot this year!


Davey has Mrs. Von Netzer for Kindergarten


Sophie has Mrs. Zachettin for 3rd Grade


Adding a few welcome back messages to the the front walk for the first day



Ready for a new year!


I brought popsicles to school pickup as fun treat. Davey told me every horrible part of his day (he sat by a sandwich eater at lunch 😱), but then said he still liked it, so I guess it went okay

August 15, 2021

Dallas Summer Bonus Chapter - Fun with the IdaHowes

Tim and Cindy's family were still in Dallas when we returned from Utah so we were able to spend a few days playing together before we had to head home for the start of school. Cousin time is always the best! 

A day at Little Elm beach was not equal to a week on the Outer Banks, but plenty of fun in the water and sand was still had. As far as Texas beaches go, it's a nice one!





Grandma Howes bubble sharks were a huge hit with the kids


Outing to the Cidercade, a highlight for Davey




Sophie and Amelia working on a puzzle


Piñatas and cake to celebrate Maya's 3rd birthday




The cousins held a funeral for a baby bunny that ran into a gate



We sure loved being able to see cousins, even though the reunion got cancelled